Police Investigate String Of Strong-Arm Robberies
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Madison police are investigating three overnight strong-arm robberies downtown that they believe are linked.

The incidents occurred in the early morning hours Sunday near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

Madison police said the first robbery occurred at about 1:40 a.m. Sunday in the 10 block of North Mills Street.

Police said the victim, a 19-year-old Madison woman, was walking with a group of other people when four or five men approached the group. One of the men grabbed the victim's phone from her hand. She wasn't injured, but a 19-year-old male companion of the victim was punched in the face, suffering a minor facial injury, police said.

Police said the men got into an older, dark-colored, boxy style vehicle and fled the area.

Police said the next strong-armed robbery occurred at about 4:45 a.m. Sunday at 100 North Park Street.

A 20-year-old Madison woman was walking on North Park Street between Spring Street and Fahrenbrook Court when a man approached her from behind, police said.

Police said the man threatened to shoot the victim if she didn't give him her phone. The man grabbed the victim's phone and fled on foot, police said. No weapon was seen and the woman wasn't injured.

Police said the third strong-arm robbery occurred at about 4:47 a.m. Sunday.

Police said two men were walking in the 1300 block of Regent Street when a group of three men approached them and asked what time it was. One of the victims was grabbed from behind, and his wallet was taken. The victims weren't injured.

The group of three men got into an older dark-colored, boxy style vehicle and left the scene.